Understanding the Importance of Flushing Sediment from Your Water Heater

In many homes, the water heater is the most frequently replaced major appliance. Average service life can be up to 12 years — or as few as five or six. Two main factors influence the life expectancy of water heaters:

• The hardness (mineral content) of the local water supply.

• Annual maintenance including flushing the tank.

The hardness of water in the Tulsa/Broken Arrow area varies from “moderately hard” to “hard” on the national water hardness scale. While this mineral content is harmless to humans, it can shorten the life of water heaters and raise monthly costs substantially.Heated inside the water heater, dissolved minerals precipitate and sink to the bottom of the tank, forming an increasing layer of sediment. Sediment accumulation absorbs heat from the burner, causing the burner to run longer cycles. Energy consumption spikes and monthly bills increase. In addition, sediment in the tank and extended burner cycles degrade the integrity of the tank and liner, triggering leakage that requires early heater replacement.

Flushing the tank yearly removes sediment while it still can be removed—before it becomes rock hard. The process is doable for most people, or a local plumbing professional can handle it while also verifying safe water temperature, testing the pressure relief valve and looking for signs of leakage. Here's how flushing the tank can be done:

• Turn off the heater at the gas valve and shut the cold water inlet valve on top of the tank.

• Connect one end of a garden hose to the tank drain valve and place the other end outside in the yard.

• Open the drain valve and allow the tank to drain. Holding open the spring-loaded pressure relief valve also admits air into the tank and expedites draining.

• After the tank is empty, turn the cold water valve on and off rapidly several times to flush out remaining sediment.

• Close the drain valve and remove the hose.

• Open the cold water inlet valve and follow manufacturer’s procedures to re-light the heater.

Ask the professionals at Air Assurance about annual service to extend the life of the water heater and ensure optimum efficiency.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Minerva Studio/Shutterstock”

Tips for Avoiding Dangerous Water Problems in Your Tulsa Home

Water is required to sustain life on earth and to maintain comfort and convenience at home. However, have you've ever stopped to wonder what to do if your tap water is discolored, odorous, or foul tasting? Here are some common water problems you may encounter at home, and what to do about them. 

Hard Water

Problem: Hard water has a much higher mineral content than soft water, which is a result of having passed through calcium and magnesium-rich deposits. The effects can include:

• Lime scale accumulation in pipes.

• Spotting on dishes.

• Filming on showers tubs.

• Dingy, scratchy clothing.

Solution: A home water softener with an ion-exchanging technology can channel water through a softener containing a sodium-based solution. Note that due to the high sodium content, this water may not be suitable for drinking or for use on lawns or houseplants.

Bad Odor and Taste

Problem: Various organic materials or sulfates can cause your water to taste moldy, fishy or musty.

Solution: You can run your water through an activated-carbon filter to solve most issues, while more extreme cases may require an oxidizing filter. If neither solution works, professional intervention may be required.

Bacterial Contamination

Problem: One of the most dangerous water problems may involve the coliform bacteria, a family of bacteria with such strains as E. Coli. While most are harmless, others can cause illness, particularly in those with weakened immune systems.

Solution: If you suspect bacterial contamination, consult a professional to determine the source of the issue and to implement an effective method of disinfection.

Sediment

Problem: Materials such as clay, rust or dirt may become suspended in your water supply.

Solution: A sediment filter may be your best option for this problem and can be found at most hardware or plumbing stores.

Lead

Problem: More common in older homes, lead can be found in the solder once used to seal copper piping, which is extremely hard to detect.

Solution: Have your water professionally tested, implementing solutions, such as:

• A reverse osmosis system.

• A carbon block filtration.

• A water softening system.

For more information on these solutions and other dangerous water problems, call the experts at Air Assurance in Broken Arrow today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock”

Determine If Your Home's Water Hard or Soft and Learn to Balance

Hard water is an issue that can cause a variety of other problems. Learning to achieve the proper balance of minerals in your home's water is an important task, and can improve many different aspects of your life.

As water travels through the soil, it picks up minerals such as calcium and magnesium. This results in so-called hard water. Depending on where your water comes from and the type of treatment it undergoes at the water treatment center, it will be either hard or soft water. There are several signs that you have hard water:

• Clogged pipes

• A film on bathtub or shower tiles

• Build-up of minerals on faucets

There are several negative effects that hard water can have on your home and your daily activities. These include:

• Poor water flow and low efficiency

• Increase in plumbing repairs

• Dull and limp hair

• Reduced cleaning capabilities of soap

• Reduced clothing life

To combat these effects, you can have a water softener installed in your home. Cation exchange is one of the most common methods of water softening, and involves a process in which ions are exchanged. Water can be softened in a fully automatic process or with an electronic sensor that softens the water, depending on your use. Having the right size water softener is an important part of regulating the hardness of your water. It can make a big difference in how equipment, from your water heater to your washing machine, do their jobs. .

If you have hard or soft water issues, contact us at Air Assurance. We have been providing HVAC services to Broken Arrow and the surrounding area since 1985.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Kasiastock/Shutterstock”